Earnings Per Share and Per Unit (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - basic: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 23,171	$ 40,110	$ 111,995	$ 134,815
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	(453)	(881)	(2,386)	(3,049)
Net (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	5	(357)	488	(880)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(622)	(621)	(1,864)	(1,864)
Net income available for common stockholders	$ 22,101	$ 38,251	$ 108,233	$ 129,022
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Share - weighted average shares (in shares)	105,671	105,184	105,473	105,094
Earnings per Common Share - basic:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.21	$ 0.36	$ 1.03	$ 1.23
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - diluted: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 23,171	$ 40,110	$ 111,995	$ 134,815
Net (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	5	(357)	488	(880)
Dividends on Preferred Stock	(622)	(621)	(1,864)	(1,864)
Net income available for common stockholders before net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership	$ 22,554	$ 39,132	$ 110,619	$ 132,071
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Share - weighted average shares (in shares)	105,671	105,184	105,473	105,094
Stock options using the treasury method (in shares)	0	0	0	7
Noncontrolling interests Common Units (in shares)	2,161	2,417	2,289	2,469
Denominator for diluted earnings per Common Share - adjusted weighted average shares and assumed conversions (in shares)	107,832	107,601	107,762	107,570
Earnings per Common Share - diluted:
Net income available for common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.21	$ 0.36	$ 1.03	$ 1.23
Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - basic: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 23,171	$ 40,110	$ 111,995	$ 134,815
Net (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	5	(357)	488	(880)
Distributions on Preferred Units	(622)	(621)	(1,864)	(1,864)
Net income available for common unitholders	$ 22,554	$ 39,132	$ 110,619	$ 132,071
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Unit - weighted average units (in shares)	107,423	107,192	107,353	107,154
Earnings per Common Unit - basic:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.21	$ 0.37	$ 1.03	$ 1.23
Earnings per Common Share and Per Unit - diluted: [Abstract]
Net income	$ 23,171	$ 40,110	$ 111,995	$ 134,815
Net (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated affiliates	5	(357)	488	(880)
Distributions on Preferred Units	(622)	(621)	(1,864)	(1,864)
Net income available for common unitholders	$ 22,554	$ 39,132	$ 110,619	$ 132,071
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per Common Unit - weighted average units (in shares)	107,423	107,192	107,353	107,154
Stock options using the treasury method (in shares)	0	0	0	7
Denominator for diluted earnings per Common Unit - adjusted weighted average units and assumed conversions (in shares)	107,423	107,192	107,353	107,161
Earnings per Common Unit - diluted:
Net income available for common unitholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.21	$ 0.37	$ 1.03	$ 1.23